Note: There is
a large number of insignificant such polities in what is
now Niger. This record deals only with a few important
ones. The most significant exclusion consists of
the major Tuareg (Twareg = Tawariq = Kel Tamazhek)
confederations. This record is in four parts: (A) Doso;
(B) major Hausa states: Maradi and Damagaram (note that
other Hausa states are partly in present-day Niger and
partly in present-day Nigeria, as, e.g., Gobir; these are
listed under Nigeria
traditional states); (C) the remnants of the Songhay
empire, together with some break-off states; and (D) the
Berber Sultanate of Aïr.

The Songhay empire grew out of a polity that was
formed in the Dendi region of present-day Niger. This
polity flourished in present-day Mali and replaced the
Mali empire as the major West Sudanese power; its
capital was Gao. After being vanquished by incursions
from Morocco, the Songhay state withdrew to its original
location in the Dendi region, and is thenceforth often
referred to as Dendi; but there is a continuity of rule,
symbolized by continuing to use the Songhay name and the
royal style askya. In addition to this remnant
Songhay state, this record contains a small group of
break-off polities.

Songhay

c.500
Songhay kingdom founded.1325 -
1375
Occupied
by Mali Empire.1464
Songhay Empire.1591
Vanquished by incursions from Morocco, Songhay state
withdraws to its original location in the Dendi region.1901
State extinguished by the French colonial power.